Every physician, plastic surgeons included, is different, and has a different approach to the patient. Most plastic surgery doctors, however, are very compulsive, and have a set routine. Established pre and post-operative routines set up a significant degree of certainty in surgical outcomes, and ensure appropriate treatment when problems do arise. Adequate patient instruction prepares the patient for surgery in a number of ways. Patients know what to expect, so that anxiety is greatly reduced. Patients are educated in fitting versus harmful peri-operative activities, helping to minimize a poor outcome based on an inappropriate patient action. Finally patients become familiar with the correct course of action in the event of an otherwise unexpected event.
Dr. Gerzenshtein’s typical routine includes a thorough physical examination with particular attention to areas of concern. The patient is asked for the most important aspect of the concern, the full smile lines, the jowls, the sagging neck, etc. A global assessment is then formulated and presented to the patient. Dr. Gerzenshtein seeks to then marry his opinions with the patient’s dislikes to devise a mutually agreeable plan. A pre-operative sheet is then given to all prospective plastic surgical candidates. This is because in most circumstances, not satisfying the conditions presented in the pre-operative plastic surgery guidelines, such as discontinuing aspirin for at least two weeks prior to cosmetic surgery, will lead to a delay of procedure. Should the prospective aesthetic surgery patient decide to have cosmetic surgery, a pre-operative visit is scheduled. This is where the details of the particular aesthetic facial surgery treatment are reviewed. The visit includes either a complete physical examination, or review of a physical performed by the patient’s primary care physician, all to determine fitness for brow lift and/or blepharoplasty plastic surgery. Appropriate laboratory evaluations are ordered, or reviewed, as are any other pertinent studies. A complete discussion of all risks and complications associated with rhytidectomy or rhytidoplasty surgery are reviewed, pre-operative photographs are obtained. Finally, thorough postoperative instructions are given, along with prescriptions for after surgery. In this manner, a patient is thoroughly familiar with the particulars of the surgery, expected outcomes, and postoperative care after a face lift.
